The nobles.—­People! know you not that our ancestors conquered this land, and that your race was spared only on condition of serving us?  This is our social compact! this the government constituted by custom and prescribed by time.

People.—­O conquerors, pure of blood! show us your genealogies! we shall then see if what in an individual is robbery and plunder, can be virtuous in a nation.

And forthwith, voices were heard in every quarter calling out the nobles by their names; and relating their origin and parentage, they told how the grandfather, great-grandfather, or even father, born traders and mechanics, after acquiring wealth in every way, had purchased their nobility for money:  so that but very few families were really of the original stock.  See, said these voices, see these purse-proud commoners who deny their parents! see these plebian recruits who look upon themselves as illustrious veterans! and peals of laughter were heard.

And the civil governors said:  these people are mild, and naturally servile; speak to them of the king and of the law, and they will return to their duty.  People! the king wills, the sovereign ordains!

People.—­The king can will nothing but the good of the people; the sovereign can only ordain according to law.

Civil governors.—­The law commands you to be submissive.

People.—­The law is the general will; and we will a new order of things.

Civil governors.—­You are then a rebel people.

People.—­A nation cannot revolt; tyrants only are rebels.

Civil governors.—­The king is on our side; he commands you to submit.

People.—­Kings are inseparable from their nations.  Our king cannot be with you; you possess only his phantom.

And the military governors came forward.  The people are timorous, said they; we must threaten them; they will submit only to force.  Soldiers, chastise this insolent multitude.

People.—­Soldiers, you are of our blood!  Will you strike your brothers, your relatives?  If the people perish who will nourish the army?

And the soldiers, grounding their arms, said to the chiefs: 

We are likewise the people; show us the enemy!

Then the ecclesiastical governors said:  There is but one resource left.  The people are superstitious; we must frighten them with the names of God and religion.

Our dear brethren! our children!  God has ordained us to govern you.

People.—­Show us your credentials from God!

Priests.—­You must have faith; reason leads astray.

People.—­Do you govern without reason?

Priests.—­God commands peace!  Religion prescribes obedience.

People.—­Peace supposes justice.  Obedience implies conviction of a duty.